Are you hosting this Christmas? It can be very stressful right?! But it could also be fun and rewarding by making it pretty for your guests. I will not be talking about menus or cocktail options, there are a million other blogs for that… I will focus more on inspirations for dressing a festive table with taste, creativity, simplicity and with a touch of love (which is the key to any success).

The most important thing is to keep it simple. No need to plan months in advance or to work for hours and hours… It is possible to keep it easy for a small or a larger group. The essential is to have fun.

So what to remember from this post; be creative, have fun et enjoy your time with friends and family! Respect your budget, time, follow your inspiration and taste! And as always, you are welcome to share your creations with us on our Facebook page!

With the Holidays comes along visitors! Friends and family might need a place to stay… and it is always nice to offer them a quiet personal space during their time with you. They won’t expect to be treated like royalty and they won’t ask for hotel-like accommodations, but I think it is fun to treat your guests with everything they might need for a comfortable and memorable visit. (Says the girl who lives in 600 sq.ft. and who has her guests sleep on the couch… but someday, I’ll have THE ideal guest room!) So that you can be the perfect hostess this holiday (and always), here are some tips and things to think about.

I suggest calming, relaxing and neutral colors. We don’t always know the styles of the people visiting, so why use colors that they might dislike? Neutral colors are more certain to please and definitely soothing. I am talking about all the whites and shades of grey that have taken over the role of the beige that was still a little bit ago THE colour to go for. So if you prefer beige over grey, I suggest you choose a warmer white that will lighten up the room.

Think about giving 2-3 different pillow options and extra cover options to your guests for those more sensitive to cold. It is often what I miss when sleeping elsewhere. Someone who likes to sleep on its back or front will prefer a flat pillow while the ones who sleep on the side will choose the fluffier one. Also, be careful with allergies… duvet pillows are not for everyone.

Leave some storage space available in the room. Although it is tempting to store your off season clothing in that space room of the house, your guests will thank you for letting them unpack and feel at home (even if it is just for a night). Hook behind the door or on the wall somewhere can also be very practical.

Some magazine depending on their interest, best-seller books, a radio where they will be able to plug in their smart phone… All little personalized thoughts depending on the tastes of your lodgers (when time is on your side of course!). A special storage area that can be easily modified is a fun idea.

And finally, fresh flowers, clean and available bath towels… Everything a guest my need to feel welcome and the joy you have to greet them in your residence. It could also be very pleasant to put a guestbook for them to write a quick thank you note if they are in the mood. By reading those notes, you will see how much these small gestures can make all the difference. And it might inspire you to do even better next time. (Jeez… I can’t wait to have a larger home!)

For those who live in small spaces (like me, my beau and I share a 600ft.sq. condo), you sometimes have to be creative in the use of the precious square footage that you have. To ensure a festive atmosphere in your home during the holiday season, a traditional Christmas tree might not be the smarter more. No worries, there are some really cute, creative and clever ideas you can work with.

Start by choosing a portion of wall that will be dedicate to your decorations without completely changing the room ( although if you are up for it, it could be fun to move around the furniture and creative a total new arrangement for the holidays). Then, choose the type of tree that fits your taste and needs. Here are some crafty choices:

Oh et j’en ai même fait un deuxième tellement je m’amusais! Cette fois, avec de vraies branches de sapin pour de parfumer le condo. | I even created a second one I was having so much fun! This time with real fir branches to parfume the condo.

Vous avez de petits espaces et vous avez ou serez créatifs cette année? Partagez-nous vos photos sur notre Facebook! | You live in a small space and you were or will be creative this year? Share your pictures with us on Facebook!

If you are like me, Christmas starts in December and not the day after Halloween… When the 1st of this festive month arrives, I like to put myself in the holiday mood. I start by decorating my Christmas tree. I like a natural one and the bigger is better! This year, we scored a 12 foot high tree! YES SIR! It majestically sits in the center of our home where it can’t be missed!!! Every year I enjoy playing around with different ornaments and decorations. I buy new things without any specific guideline and I let my feelings guide the way! So year after year, I mix and match in different ways. The inspiration of the moment is my way to go, nothing planned in advanced.

There are other things then firs to decorate a house for the holidays. I have prepared for you a nice selection of pictures that will surely inspire you.

Yes, we swear, we were kind this year… And since we are on the nice kids list, here is what we would like; love, health, new friends and full of surprises. That would all be nice but here is a list from each of us of other things that could also make us happy!

Today is Thanksgiving in the states! Our American neighbors have this great tradition that is often more important than Christmas. They gather with their loved ones for a great feast and a moment to be thankful for what they have and makes their life so wonderful! I have a lot of respect for this tradition that they cherish so much and share with friends and family, I believe it should have us think and also show more our appreciation to others and what we have. And, it also means that tomorrow is BLACK FRIDAY which is not to neglect! Because that means lots of DISCOUNTS and good deals in stores but also online. So if you are one of those people who shop their Christmas gifts on the web… tomorrow is your lucky day! Be on the lookout for amazing deals!

And for the fun of it, here are a few Advent Calendars ideas because December is just a couple days away. So for the creative DIYers, here are a few fun advent calendars ideas to do at home! Fun family crafts, a visit to the dollar store and you get a personalized calendar for you and your loved ones!